Weekend Projects: 5 Classic Family-Friendly DIY Projects for Summer

With school out of session, team up with your kids and tackle one of these classic summertime DIY projects.

There’s so much fun to be had in the summer. Yet for many of us, these months present a familiar challenge: The kids are out of school, and their long, carefree days must be filled with other activities. So if you’re looking for ways to spend time productively with the young ones in your life, don’t miss these classic DIY project ideas!

1. ERECT A TEEPEE

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Stuck indoors with restless kids on a sunny day? Spend the afternoon making a backyard teepee for them to enjoy all summer long! Teepees provide shade and contain messes, and your children will love decorating the exterior and arranging their own space within.

2. HANG A TIRE SWING

Photo: mymommysplace.com

If you’re lucky enough to have a backyard that boasts a large, healthy tree, why not take capitalize on your good fortune? Choose the sturdiest and most inviting branch, using it as your starting point in creating that time-honored hallmark of wholesome summertime recreation, the tire swing.

3. BUILD A SANDBOX

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Here’s a solution for the family that loves the playground but doesn’t live near one: Bring the sandbox to the backyard! Depending on their age, it may be a good idea for your kids to stand back during the power tools portion of this project, but they’ll thoroughly enjoy helping you paint the box once it’s built.

4. PLANT A VEGETABLE GARDEN

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How does your garden grow? If your answer is, “It doesn’t,” take advantage of the good weather and get down in the dirt with your kids. Plant a garden with tomatoes, lettuce, herbs—whatever vegetables your children like to eat (or will tolerate). Who knows? The exercise may even help instill healthy eating habits!

5. BUILD A BIRDHOUSE

Photo: madformidcentury.com

An enduring symbol of the American child’s first forays into woodworking, building a birdhouse provides an excellent opportunity to show the value of proficiency in a craft, the joy of creativity, the importance of tool safety, and the responsibility we all share for stewarding the environment.